Improvement in metallic cotton-bands



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

RICHARD LEVIS, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC COTTON-BANDS.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 23,475, dated April 5, 1859.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD LEwIs, of Charleston, district 4of Charleston, State of South Carolina, have invented a new and useful Cotton-Band,intended to be used chieiiy for cotton, but may be used for other bale-goods; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the saine, refer ence being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of that portion of the band which is united by the clasp or device, and in which the invention consists, as secured on the bale. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the above. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of plates A and B previous to being united. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the band and clasp as being adjusted to thel bale.

I construct my clasp of the best quality of strap -iron scant one eight-h of an inch in thickness. The plates or parts composing` the clasp may be struck into form by any of the processes for punching and swaging iron,v

suitable dies being used for the purpose. The plates or parts A and B should have the form shown in Fig. 3. The slot in B should be an eighth of an inch larger transversely than the band to be used, that it may be inserted readily into it. To unite the parts the small shoulders c c of B are passed through the angles in the opening E of plate A, when the projectionsff of A are struck down sufciently to keep the parts united, when they are hinged without pivot or socket by the small shoulders of B acting as pivots when the band is being adjusted, and the large shoulders Z d when it is secured, the portion of A against which t-he shoulders rest answering the purpose of a socket. By this means this form of slot (which is not new) by which the adj ustable end of the band is secured admits of the band being passed through and adjusted in front instead of behind the device, as is the case where the device has been constructed of one plate of metal. The band is then united to A, as shown in Fig. 2, when it is ready foruse.

To operate the band, it having encircled the bale, plate Bis turned down, as shown in Fig. 4f, when the band is passed up through the Vslot in B, drawn taut, and bent down on B. Plate B is then turned up with the end of the band that was bent down upon it. tion the adjustable end of the band is secured where it is caught by the expansive force of Y the cotton when released from the press. The projections f f on plate A are then struck down onto B with a hammer, for the purpose of preventing the device from unlocking by the removal of the expansive force of the cotton in stowing with a jack. To reuse it at the shipper-s press the projections f f on plate A are set up with a wedge. close to the clasp at its adjustable end, the piece of baud removed from the slot, when it is operated as above described.

I am aware that many good devices have been furnished to the planter, and for packing cotton on the plantation are all that is necessary; but at the shippers press they are thrown aside and the banding replaced with rope, from its not being adjustable or requiring too much of the presss time in manipulating. By hinging this slot so that the band may be adjusted in front of instead of behind the device au improvement is effected, and by the elongated form of plate B the ends of the band'fornling the lock are protected. By the mode ot' hinging the manufacturing of the device is cheapened, while it admits of a perfect clasp, the ends of the band being securely locked and well protected, and in its operation is adjustable and admits of rapid manipulation.

I claim- In the above device, plates A B, opening E, projections f f, shoulders C C and d d, in combination, constructed, united, and operated in the manner substantially as above described, and for the purpose set forth.

RICHARD LEWIS. Witnesses:

WM. AIKEN, CHAELEs LovE.

By this opera- The baud is then cut 

